Azure domains and Google abused to spread disinformation and malware

Azure domains and Google abused to spread disinformation and malware

August 17, 2024 at 10:37AM

A disinformation campaign utilizing Microsoft Azure, OVH cloud, and Google search promotes malware and spam sites through misleading search results related to public figures like Harry Connick, Jr, Bill Paxton, Carol Burnett, etc. The fake articles redirect users to scam websites and push malware and counterfeit software, exploiting cloud services for hosting and ad-serving.

Based on the meeting notes, it appears that there has been a disinformation campaign targeting various public figures. The campaign involves the use of Microsoft Azure and OVH cloud subdomains, as well as Google search, to promote malware and spam sites.

Android users have reported receiving misleading search notifications related to topics they have previously searched for, leading them to scam websites disguised as infotainment articles. The campaign has falsely claimed that several public figures, including Harry Connick Jr, have suffered health issues such as strokes, spreading rumors and redirecting users to malicious web domains.

The disinformation campaign included hosting unsubstantiated articles on cloud services like Microsoft Azure and OVH, leading to notifications being triggered by Google’s algorithms. The ultimate goal of these misleading articles is to drive traffic to websites that distribute malware, spam, and counterfeit software. The notes also detail the specific URLs associated with this campaign.

It is clear from the notes that the disinformation campaign has targeted multiple public figures and that visitors should avoid interacting with search results leading to the mentioned URLs.

If you require further details or clarification on the notes, please feel free to ask.

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